About Mario
| Position: 4th year PhD student |
| Education: The Mississippi University of Women, Columbus B.S. Chemistry, 2020 |
| Background: Mario was born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia, a small country on the Balkan peninsula full of wonders. He first came to the States as an exchange student during his senior year of high school and while finishing my studies he decided to apply to a few colleges to continue his undergraduate studies in the States as well. I received my Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The Mississippi University for Women (The W). His interests include the improvement of old and finding new therapeutic agents that will help and be used in drug discovery. |
About Sampad
| Position: Postdoc |
| Next Position: Senior Scientist at Sygnature Discovery in Nottingham, UK |
| Education: University in Leuven, Belgium Ph.D. Chemistry, 2017 |
| Background: Born and raised in India, Sampad pursued his undergraduate degree in chemistry at Midnapore College where he enjoyed studying chemistry so much that he decided to pursue it further! He completed his Masters from IIT Kanpur. Soon after that, he moved to Belgium to pursue his PhD degree under the supervision of Prof. Wim Dehaen at KU Leuven, where he worked on developing new methods to synthesize tri-substituted 1,2,3-triazoles and studied their biological activities. He subsequently joined the Roy Lab as a postdoctoral scholar where he is investigating new fluorination reaction methods. Apart from research, Sampad loves to cook and is very passionate about macro photography. |
- Publications
Jana, S.; Vroemans, R.; Dehaen, W. “Synthesis of 3,4-fused triazoles by Rh catalyst: A selective decomposition of triazoles” Synth. Catal. 2017,18, 3085.
Jana, S.; Thomas, J.; Dehaen, W. “A One-Pot Procedure for the Synthesis of “Click-Ready” Triazoles from Ketones” J. Org. Chem. 2016, 81, 12426.
Jana, S.; Iram, S.; Thomas, J.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “Synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of novel (aza)artemisinin derivatives” Med. Chem. 2017, 25, 3671.
Jana, S.; Iram S.; Thomas, J.; Hayat, M. Q.; Pannecouque, C.; Dehaen, W. “Application of the Triazolization Reaction to Afford Dihydroartemisinin Derivatives with Anti-HIV Activity” Molecules 2017, 22, 303.
Thomas, J*.; Jana, S*.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “A single-step acid catalyzed reaction for rapid assembly of NH-1,2,3-triazoles” Commun. 2016, 52, 9236. *equal contribution
Thomas, J.; Jana, S.; Sonawane, M.; Fiey. B.; Balzarini, J.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “A New Four-Component Reaction Involving Michael Addition and Gewald Reaction, Leading to Diverse Biologically Active 2-Aminothiophenes” Org. Biomol. Chem. 2017, 15, 3892.
Thomas, J.; Jana, S.; John, J.; Liekens, S.; Dehaen, W. “A General Metal-Free Route Towards the Synthesis of 1,2,3-Triazoles from Readily Available Primary Amines and Ketones” Commun. 2016, 52, 2885.
I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work. Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” — Thomas Edison
About Shamba
| Position: Postdoc |
| Next Position: Research Associate at the National Center for Natural Products Research at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy |
| Education: Indian Association of Cultivation of Sciences Ph.D. Chemistry, 2018 |
| Background: Shamba hails from Kolkata, widely regarded as the cultural capital of India. After completing his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, with honors, from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, India, he moved to Delhi to pursue his dream to become an organic synthetic chemist. He completed his Masters from University of Delhi and came back to Kolkata to pursue his Ph.D degree from IACS, one of the oldest and most esteemed research institutes in India. He completed his Ph.D under the supervision of Dr. Rajib Kumar Goswami: Total synthesis of medium sized lactone containing natural products and development of their analogues for the treatment of cancer. Recently, he joined Roy lab as a post doctoral researcher where he will be working on the development of antibiotics against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Solving riddles is his favorite pastime and he is a movie buff. |
| Publications: Chatterjee, S.; Kuilya, T. K; Goswami, R. K. “Studies directed toward the Stereoselective synthesis of Cytospolide” ACS Omega 2018, 3, 1041. Guchhait, S.; Chatterjee, S.; Goswami, R.K. “Total Synthesis of Reported Structure of Baulamycin A and Its Congeners” J. Org. Chem. 2017, 82, 2414. Kuilya, T. K.; Chatterjee, S.; Goswami, R. K. “Stereoselective total synthesis of cananginones (D–I) using Ireland–Claisen rearrangement as a key step” Tetrahedron 2014, 70, 2905. Chatterjee, S.; Guchhait, S.; Goswami, R.K. “Total synthesis of Cytospolide P” J. Org. Chem. 2014, 79, 7689. |
“If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.“
About Sweta
| Position: M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2019 |
| Next Position: Research Chemist, Obiter Research |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.S. Chemistry, 2017 |
| Background: Sweta comes from the roof of the world, Nepal, where the Mt. Everest resides. After high school, Sweta ventured all the way to the US where she went to the University of Mississippi. While there, she worked in an organic synthesis lab under Dr. Davita Watkins on the modification of an HDAC inhibitor to increase in its therapeutic potential. Outside the lab, Sweta enjoys singing R&B, eating out, and traveling new places. Sweta graduated with an M.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2019. |
About Tomayo
| Position: Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences 2023 |
| Next Position: Postdoc at Vanberbilt with Prof. Craig Lindsey |
| Education: University of Ibadan, Nigeria M.S. Pharmacognosy, 2017 |
| Background: Hamdan graduated with MS in Pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis on Medicinal Chemistry in December 2021. |
About Hamdan
| Position: M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences |
| Education: Al-Jouf University, Saudi Arabia B.Pharm., 2015 |
| Background: Hamdan graduated with MS in Pharmaceutical sciences with an emphasis on Medicinal Chemistry in December 2021. |
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.” — Mark Twain
About Ross
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Next Position: PharmD student at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.S. Pre-Pharmacy, 2021 |
| Background: Ross was born in Ripley, Mississippi. His love for chemistry and passion for helping others pushed him to join the Early Entry Pharmacy program. He hopes to take the opportunity of working in the lab to help find new and more effective medications. He hopes to continue learning and growing in the Roy laboratory as he goes through pharmacy school. His goals are to help patients on a one-on-one scale through his regular pharmacy practices and perform research along the way. Ross spent one semester in the Roy laboratory doing research on the fluorine project. Good luck with your future endeavors. |
“The Universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson
About J.D.
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Next Position: PharmD student at the Samford University McWhorter School of Pharmacy |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.S. Pre-Pharmacy, 2020 |
| Background: J.D. is from Birmingham, AL, and grew up wanting to make the world a better place through pharmaceutical research. To this end, he has decided to pursue a career in Pharmacy. Being an Early-Entry Pharmacy student, he plans to continue with the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy program. Eventually he intends on pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences. His specific research interests include cancer and Alzheimer’s disease research. |
“It always seems impossible until it’s done.“
About Galina
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Next Position: Medical Student, UMMC |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.A. Biochemistry and Spanish, 2019 |
| Background: Born in Connecticut but raised in Mississippi, Galina Ostrovsky graduated from St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland, Mississippi and is currently a third-year undergraduate at the University of Mississippi. Combining her passions for science and foreign languages, Galina is pursuing majors in Biochemistry and Spanish as well as a minor in Biology. She is in the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and hopes to attend medical school after graduating. Beyond studying and researching, Galina serves as an Ole Miss ambassador, and you can frequently find her walking backwards on campus giving tours to prospective students. Additionally, Galina is an Associated Student Body Senator and serves as the Chair for the Committee on Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Engagement. In her spare time, Galina enjoys traveling, listening to podcasts (especially Spanish ones), frequenting coffee shops, playing with puppies, trying new restaurants, and spending time with friends and family. As a researcher in the Roy Laboratory, Galina is excited to gain lab experience and make new discoveries in the field of medicinal chemistry. Galina spent two semesters in the Roy laboratory doing research on the Fluorine project. Good luck with your future endeavors at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine! |
“Good judgment comes from experience, and often experience comes from bad judgment.” — Rita Mae Brown
About Matt
| Position: B.A. Biochemistry, 2020 |
| Next Position: Graduate student in Prof. Jared Delcamp’s group at the University of Mississippi |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.A. Biochemistry, 2020 |
| Background: I was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ever since I stepped foot in my first high school chemistry class, I knew I wanted to be in chemistry for the rest of my life. I’m fascinated by the complexity and incredible evolution that our bodies exhibit and how healthy, natural medicine can enhance our daily lives. I hope to continue my studies at the University in its Medicinal Chemistry program, within BioMolecular Sciences, to continue research in a quest to find medicinal products that can make us happier and healthier. |
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow, learn as if you were to live forever” — Mahatma Gandhi
About Peggy
| Position: B.A. Biochemistry, 2020 |
| Next Position: Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program at the NIH |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.A. Biochemistry, 2020 |
| Background: Since the time she was born in West Palm Beach, Florida, Peggy has had a passion for learning and for people. Peggy moved to Columbia, Tennessee early in her life and graduated from Columbia Central High School in 2016. She then came to Ole Miss to pursue a career in the medical field but found many more opportunities. Peggy was a mentor for the Early Entry Pharmacy program, is involved with the Honors College, and is now ready to be a part of the Roy Laboratory. Outside of school, Peggy enjoys Ole Miss football and basketball, visiting her family and dog in Tennessee, and being around friends. Additionally, she enjoys doing art and hopes to find inspiration by seeing as much of the world and its art as possible. |
About Lindsey
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Next Position: PharmD student at the University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.S. Pre-Pharmacy, 2022 |
| Background: Lindsey Hohlt grew up near Saint Louis, Missouri, and developed a love for chemistry at a young age. Since high school, she knew that she wanted to work in research and medical practice. She is currently in her third year in the Early Entry Pharmacy program and wants to continue research into pharmacy school. Along with being her pharmacy class Vice President, Lindsey is involved in Kappa Epsilon, a pharmacy fraternity for women. After pharmacy school, she hopes to work in either research or go into residency to specialize in clinical work. Outside of the lab, Lindsey enjoys painting, hiking, music, and tending to her plants. |
“You cannot swim for new horizons until you have courage to lose sight of the shore.” — William Faulkner
About Micah
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.A. Biochemistry, 2020 |
| Background: Micah was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and after moving around the state, now resides in Olive Branch. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do when he first came to the University of Mississippi, but eventually discovered a passion for medicine. He now hopes to go on to medical school and pursue a career as a physician where he can make a mark on the world. Outside of class, Micah works as a Supplemental Instruction Leader, spends two days a week working at Oxford Elementary School through a literacy program, and spends a lot of time in the Honors College. As a researcher in the Roy Laboratory, Micah is excited to gain experience in fluorine chemistry. Micah graduated with a B.A. Biochemistry in 2020. |
“Work for a cause, not for applause. Live life to express, not to impress. Don’t strive to make your presence noticed, just make your absence felt.“
About Vu
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.S. Biology, 2019 |
| Background: This quote is Vu Bui’s life mantra. Since his birth at Biloxi, Mississippi, he strives to follow this phrase and he strives to accomplish his goals/dream. His life goal is to complete medical school and become a medical doctor in the field of pediatrics. Another goal of his is to travel and do as much good in the world as he can. After graduating from Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Vu went to study at The University of Mississippi. Currently, he is a third-year undergraduate majoring in B.S. Biology. During his years at Ole Miss, he volunteered at Baptist Hospital, became an Emergency Medical First Responder, and worked as part of the E-board of the Vietnamese Student Association. His time with these associations made him into a leader and cemented his dream of becoming a medical doctor. In his spare time, Vu enjoys singing, dancing and hanging out with his friends. He would occasionally go back home to Florida and go relax at the beaches with his family. Vu spent two semesters working in the Roy lab learning about the techniques in synthetic organic chemistry and also helping in the lab set up. Good luck on the next step chapter of your career! |
“Seek to be worth knowing rather than to be well known.“
About Lily
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.S. Biology, 2020 |
| Background: Born in Biloxi, Mississippi to immigrant parents, Lily has strived to do her best in all possible ways. By pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology, she hopes to one day graduate from medical school and become a radiologist while traveling and exploring as much of the world as she can. She is passionate about biology and social justice and has a deep love for animals and the earth. In her spare time, she likes to read, spend time with her family, and watch movies. Lily is also active in the Vietnamese Student Association in her role as secretary as well as the American Medical Student Association. She is eager and excited to be working the Roy Laboratory and hopes to gain much knowledge during the duration of her research. Lily spent two semesters in the Roy laboratory doing research on the tuberculosis project. Good luck with your future endeavors, Lily! |
“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” — Abraham Lincoln
About Hannah
| Position: Undergraduate Researcher |
| Education: University of Mississippi |
| Background: Hannah Chasteen was raised in three different states—Missouri, Kentucky, and Tennessee. However, no matter where she lived, she was raised to be an Ole Miss Rebel! Hannah graduated from Chester County High School, in Henderson, Tennessee and is now in her third year as a Forensic Chemistry Major here at the University of Mississippi. While a student, she has been a mentor to Oxford school children and is an active member of Rebels for Christ. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, golfing, playing with her dog, attending Ole Miss sporting events, and hanging out with friends. Hannah spent one semester in the Roy laboratory as a work-study student. |
“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.“
About Tam
| Position: Undergraduate IT Assistant |
| Education: University of Mississippi B.S. Computer Science, 2018 |
| Background: Born in Hanoi, Vietnam and currently residing in Oxford, Mississippi, I am a Computer Science and Management Information Systems double major. I have a great passion for programming. My undergraduate studies have focused on data science, machine learning, and full-stack web development. In addition to being a dedicated programmer, I am also a competitve basketball player, frequent traveler, and cultural explorer. Check out Tam’s Personal Website! Tam was involved in designing and creating the website during July-August 2017. |
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive” — Howard Thurman
About DaJ’ai
| Position: Rose Biosolutions |
| Education: B.S. Forensic Chemistry from the University of Mississippi in 2020 M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Tennessee Health Sciences in 2026 |
| Background: DaJ’ai was born Oxford, Mississippi, but grew up in multiple southern states. After graduation, she moved to Salt Lake City, Utah and worked in the clinical and research industry for large and small companies like ARUP and Aliri. While working for Aliri, a small CRO, a passion for research and medicine grew through the opportunities and mentors who stoked and supported her interests in infectious disease, cancer, and antipsychotic medications. She is currently helping to develop new antibacterial to find a new Tuberculosis treatment. Her hobbies include playing with and hiking with her dogs and spending time with friends and family. |